Emmanuel Chitsika
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) has said budgets that local authorities use in running their affairs should reflect the will of residents who are the chief financiers.
In an interview with TellZim News, MURRA director Anoziva Muguti urged council management to make sure that budget consultations are done in good faith and incorporate their views.
“Budget consultations, if done properly and in good manner would ensure the input of residents. Since a budget is a plan on how to spend/utilize given resources by the local authority, there is need to ensure it captures development projects proposed by the people.
“Residents are the ones who fund these budgets to a greater extent hence the need for them to have a say in the distribution of such resources. It is important that if residents participate and have their ideas captured in such consultative processes,” said Muguti.
Muguti however said MURRA has held several workshops conscentizing residents on importance of participating in the upcoming meetings.
“As an organization, we have held several workshops and meetings with residents raising awareness on budget processes and importance of their participation. We have also held pre-budget consultative meetings where we gathered the views of residents and are currently in the process of compiling a document that we are going to submit to council for consideration in preparation for the 2023 budget,” added Muguti.
